Duckie: Why Do Benders Love Divas?
Worship at the altar of the diva as David Hoyle, David McAlmont and Rupert Smith chat about why the queer connection to women musicians is so fierce.
Drop in and listen to a free panel discussion hosted by author Rupert Smith. Joining Smith is legendary cabaret and performance artist David Hoyle and the remarkable art-pop vocalist David McAlmont.
Their question: Why does the queer community have such a spiritual connection to the women entertainers they adore?
It’s about Shirley Bassey, but it’s also about Judy Garland and Cher and Kylie Minogue and Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift and Charli XCX and Beyoncé.
Need to know
Times & tickets
Dates, times and prices
Dates & times
20 Sep 2026, 2pm
Run time
1 hour and 30 minutes (approx)
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Standard entry
Free – ticket required
Concessions
Learn more about concession discounts
Refunds and exchanges
Find out more about our refund and exchange policy
Make a donation
Help us open up the arts to everyone by making a one-off or a recurring donation.
For your visit
This event is held at the The Clore Ballroom Southbank Centre
The Clore Ballroom is open six days a week.
Tuesday, 10am – 6pm*
Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
*If we’re hosting a performance, the building will stay open until the event ends.
Plan your visit
The Clore Ballroom is located inside our Royal Festival Hall on Level 2.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
There is step-free access to The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, via a ramp.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
Next to The Clore Ballroom is our Ballroom Cafe where you can grab a coffee and a piece of freshly made cake. Also on Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.